This is a warning for those who have not finished this series, some of the ending will be spoiled, I will mention little details though.
My Review :
As I read through the first book of the series, The Hunger Games, I found a very interesting storyline, that was written well enough to grab the readers attention, and I must say I was impressed with the author's ability to create curiosity and captivate the reader's mind, forcing him to keep reading. A page turner, with some depth, but not as well written as I would've liked.
When I read the second book, Catching Fire, my opinion changed. I felt that the author created a fun story and ended the book in a very good spot. I enjoyed this book greatly and was looking forward to the third. I was excited and hopeful for the thrilling finish of such a well created story and good idea. When I read the third, Mockingjay, I was greatly disappointed, let me explain why.
To explain why I think I must explain a little about hope.
Hope is a powerful thing. It is literally the anchor of our souls. It is the belief that through obedience to our Heavenly Father, and through doing good, we can and will in the end find eternal joy. True happiness that fills the soul and never leaves. This hope gives us purpose, gives us determination and diligence. I am grateful for hope in my life, which can be centered on my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for it is through Him that we can achieve this eternal joy.
In book 1 and 2, the author constantly builds our hope as a reader that if our hero(?), Katniss succeeds at something that everything will be better. But as things continue to work out as the reader and Katniss would have hoped, joy never enters the series. By the end of book 2 the author has built up a great hope that if Katniss and the rebel forces can take down the Capital and Snow, that everything will be right again, that true happiness will enter their lives.
Well in book 3 we find that things continue to pan out perfectly for our little hero(?). Things turn out perfectly, exactly as the reader would have hoped, but even after everything goes right, the author brings no peace into the story. Katniss finds no joy in her life, in her family, in her offspring, in anything. I believe the author alludes to Katniss living out the rest of her life in fear and despair as do all the others.
The last 20 pages of this book cause great sadness and why, because the author, I believe, destroys the reader's hope. Everything one would have wanted to happen does, but nothing seems right at the end. Sadness prevails and one feels greatly depressed as if their own lives were unfulfilling as well. Despair replaces hope as the reader's conscience begins to feel that no matter what, we are doomed to an unhappy finite ending, where we can never truly be happy, because even after all went well in the story, we are still miserable with the outcome.
The ploy that after all that Katniss and others have gained at the end that they cannot throw off their fear and old injuries and be truly happy with their highly priced freedom they have purchased with so much blood is a total falsity. It could never happen. Life brings happiness, it is ridiculous to try to write a book to say otherwise.
I hated the ending. The last 20 pages toyed so much with my emotions I actually became angry about it. I do not like when an author tries to create sadness and despair in a world that so desperately needs hope, and this author not only does a good job at destroying the reader's hope, but actually excels at it.
Removing the fact that the book causes one to wallow in sorrow after finishing it, the series is still degrading. If we carefully examine this series we find horrible themes rampant through out the entire thing. It is based on an idea that children, yes, children will fight to the death, brutally. The idea itself is sickening, and I stick with Jacob that it is completely unrealistic, a society could never decay to that point. A parent could never demand that another parent's child be sent to the Hunger Games. Apparently humans are cold animals in the author's eye. The series also constantly makes, drug use, alcohol, body mutilation and prostitution all seem acceptable as people try to escape reality to find happiness. It seems it is also acceptable to describe horrible deaths and graphic scenes. In fact the series takes our sacred bodies, temples given to us by God, and puts them at 0 value. People are constantly changing themselves, are constantly immodest (usually naked), and sleeping together under the age of 18. Sex is portrayed as only a necessary way to keep the species alive with nothing sacred about it. Lies and deceit, blackmail, fame and power, the idea of mistrust (no one is ever trustworthy in the books...they are apparently all two-faced). This book depicts a society that has no God and no morals, no happiness and zero charity. No true heroes exist, even Peeta is apparently hijacked and turned into a menace at the end, unable to recover.
Overall, I believe that Mormon made it very clear for us how we can judge what comes from God and what comes from Satan. Unlike most series or shows or stories, I found no inspiration in this book. It did not make me want to be a better person, or even try to be. I do not want to aspire to be like any of these characters. I judge this series to be inspired by the adversary. The Spirit had no role in inspiring any part of this story.
What do I think of The Hunger Games series?
In the words of Max Hall, "I don't like it, in fact I hate it, I hate everything about it... its classless." I add, its dangerous. Its dangerous to have this view on life, that we are only cold animals with no divine potential, and its sad that someone can truly look at the world this way.
What do you think?
The first picture is how much snow we had before this storm. Then the little arches and edges and point formations, then how it mad the snow on our table outside form, after knocking down all the lighter outer snow.
Hazel at the pumpkin farm
Our pumpkin - I carved and Hazel drew
Hazel as Baby Princess Peach - I went for simple and easy this year.
Speed as Baby Mario. He was apparently too tired to give us a proper smile.
The chocolate covered Oreos I made on Halloween with this cool mold my mother-in-law sent me. The spiders were pretty fail but I think the skulls turned out pretty good.
